Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You Can't Afford Me by Thedora Birnir

Chapter 52 I Just Want To

See You

Hadley lifted an eyebrow. What else would it be? Was he expecting someone else to be here?

Eric let out a low chuckle. “You’re really something, you know that? I help you out, take one sip from your mug, and suddenly I’m the bad guy?”

That wasn’t the case.

Hadley opened her mouth, ready to set him straight, but before she could, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted in an instant. “It’s me. Go on.”

Judging by his tone, it was something work–related.

“Got it. I’m on my way now.”

Eric ended the call and turned toward her. “I need to go.”

“Alright.” Hadley nodded, walking with him to the door. As he stepped out, she said, “Drive safe.”

“Yeah.”

Eric gave a slight nod before heading down the stairs.

For a brief second, something strange settled over him–almost like a husband leaving for work while his wife saw him off.

But when he reached the last step, Eric slowed, glancing back toward her place. His expression darkened. How was he going to convince Hadley to leave this dump of a neighborhood?

Hadley hardly spared another thought for Eric’s visit. The moment he left, it was already slipping from her mind, no more than a passing breeze that barely registered.

Right now, she had far more pressing concerns. Money.

After turning it over in her head countless times, Hadley found herself considering someone she had sworn never to contact again. Not under any circumstances. Not even if her life depended on it.

But she was still alive, and she desperately needed help. For the sake of her child, she had no choice but to swallow her pride.

With a deep breath, she pulled out a phone number she hadn’t touched in years. Her fingers trembled as she punched it in.

13:52

Chapter 521 Just Want To See You

Did he still have the same number after all this time?

She pressed the call button, holding her breath.

The line connected.

A voice–one she hadn’t heard in so long, yet still painfully familiar–answered. “Hello? Who’s this?”

Hadley’s heart pounded against her ribs. Her tongue felt heavy, but she forced herself to speak. “It’s me.”

A brief silence followed.

Then, the man’s voice came through again, this time filled with a mix of shock and something dangerously close to excitement. “Hadley? Is this really you?”

She gripped the phone tighter, her other hand pressing hard against her knee. “Yeah. It’s me.”

His reaction was immediate. “Can’t believe you really call me!” His voice wavered slightly before he caught himself. “Wait–do you need something?”

He seemed to realize how that sounded and quickly backtracked. “I don’t mean you can’t call unless you need something! That’s not what I meant. You can call me anytime. Whenever. I’ll always pick up.”

The way he stumbled over his words made Hadley’s eyes sting.

curled into her palm, shaking just a

waste time on

I can’t promise to pay

for a second, clearly caught off guard, but there was no hesitation in

“Five hundred thousand.”

gave him the number

aback. His voice shot up slightly as he blurted, “Hadley,

“Are you lending it or not? If you’re not, then

“Wait!”

could hang up. “Just–don’t

up? What for? Hadley frowned,

“Hadley…”

promise. It’s been years. I just want to see you. That’s all. We’ll

five hundred thousand wasn’t a small amount, and her child’s life depended on it.

19.8%

13:52

|||

о

O <

Just Want

pause, she gave

text you the time and place.

“I won’t”

few days later, Hadley arrived at a private

exclusive spot–quiet, discreet, the kind of place where people went

the one who wanted to see her, yet he was also the one going out of his way to stay

was restricted to members,

front.

“This way, please.”

strap of her bag, she followed the staff

time in a place like

down the hallway, a door ahead suddenly swung

stepped out, and she walked straight

The apology left

“No prob-”

words cut short. Holding his phone in one hand, the

“Hadley?”

froze for a moment, caught completely off guard. Of all people, why

you even here?”

dim lights, Eric’s expression shifted almost immediately. His eyes darkened,

across his face.

come here, but I can’t? Or is there some

“Hadley!”

to concern

no patience for a pointless back–and–forth. “I have somewhere to be. I’m

been

her

member assured

45.7%

CO

13:52

о

<

Just Want To

in place, watching as she disappeared around the corner. His fingers curled into fists before he shoved his phone into his pocket, his frustration bubbling over.

didn’t want him

Fine. He wouldn’t.

should he even

the private room, Eric couldn’t relax. His mind